At some point over the past few weeks, you’ve probably been stopped and asked if you’re registered to vote. If you’re flustered and in a rush, it’s tempting to mumble a “yup” and slip past them. After all, it’s only the midterm elections.
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, citizens have the opportunity to vote on all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 33 members of Senate. These elections can completely change Congress, and therefore the next two years.
In fact, it’s common to see Congress push away from the current president’s party in the midterm elections. The midterms are a critical way for citizens to tell the government that that like what they’ve been doing or they expect change.
You can register to vote on campus until Tuesday, Oct. 9 by approaching the table outside the HUB. You can also register to vote online or through mail. Out-of-state students have the additional option of sending in absentee ballots. Most states allow you to apply for an absentee ballot through the end of October. Registering to vote takes a little planning to do a lot of good.
If you’re not sure if you’re registered, you can check online.
Think your vote in midterms doesn’t matter? Pennsylvania has been named as one of the biggest players in the country for this election. Speculators predict this election going either way, so more than ever, every vote is necessary. It’s true that your single vote probably won’t end up being a tiebreaker between two candidates. But when millions of people have that attitude, all of their voices become silent.
If you’ve complained about Congress, read an article that scared you, been upset by the news, or felt any political tug at all this year, vote. We’re young, aware college students who have a civic duty to stand up for our beliefs.
As you study for your academic midterms, don’t forget about the other midterms creeping up. On Tuesday, Nov. 9, let’s have a whole campus of people flexing their “I Voted!” stickers.
